NICILT

NICILT at Queen's University Belfast will be closed for the Easter break from today and will re-open on Monday 13 April. School of SSESW socials will not be monitored during this time. We wish all students, colleagues and contacts a restful break.

We're hiring!
We're looking an applied researcher to work on our AHRC-funded Transforming Cultures of Language-Learning (TransCoLL) project.
If you’re passionate about innovative research in language‑learning, we’d love to hear from you.
More information is available here:
https://ow.ly/TmoG50YnYrZ
Closing date: 16 March 2026.

Study Mandarin in Taiwan Info Session 🌍
Huayu B.E.S.T. Programme Information Session

📅24 February 2026 12 – 12:45pm
📍The Cube, One Elmwood

Queen’s students - looking for an international study experience in Taiwan with scholarship support?

The Huayu B.E.S.T. (Bilingual Exchanges of Selected Talent) Programme at Shih Chien University, Taipei offers students the chance to learn Mandarin, immerse themselves in Taiwanese culture, and gain valuable international experience.

🔴Who Can Apply?
Queen's Undergraduate & postgraduate students
Queen's students interested in Mandarin, Chinese Studies, Education, International Relations, or East Asian culture.
No previous Mandarin study required (beginner to advanced levels available).

🔴Why Apply?
Study in Taipei — one of Asia’s safest and most vibrant cities
Gain international academic experience.
Build language proficiency & cultural competence.
Strengthen your CV and employability.
Come along to this information session to find our more information.

Register via our Careers events listing.
https://go.qub.ac.uk/careersevents

Major new study led by Dr Ian Collen at Queen's will pave the way for better language learning across the Celtic Nations

Major new study will pave the way for better language learning across the Celtic Nations A major new study involving Queen’s and led by the University of Stirling will explore how healthy language-learning cultures are built and sustained across Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Ireland.

Today sees the launch of our latest Language Trends Scotland research! ⭐

Conducted by the Centre for Language Education Research (CLER) at Queen's University Belfast the report provides an independent picture of modern language teaching and learning across Scotland.
Based on responses from almost 300 primary schools and secondary schools across 29 local authorities, the report highlights both progress and challenges.🌍

Key findings include:

⏺️ Strong foundations: 99% of primary schools are now teaching languages, with one in five embedding languages into daily routines.
⏺️ More learners in S1: The proportion of S1 learners studying more than one language has jumped from 52% to 63% over the last year.
⏺️ Exam entries rising: Higher entries in French, German and Spanish up for the second consecutive year – but still 16% below pre-pandemic levels.
⏺️ Multilingual classrooms: Teachers reported over 100 different home and heritage languages, with exam provision for heritage languages up from 29% to 36%.
⏺️ Structural barriers increasing: Classes don't run in 59% of responding secondary schools if numbers are too low (up from 52%), with schools in deprived areas affected most.

These findings reflect a strong foundation and a growing recognition of the importance of language learning in Scotland

Read the full report now: https://ow.ly/KIeG50Y9aJ8



Scilt, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages

Are you joining us at our annual Conference?
Bedrooms are filling up fast, book soon to secure yours at: www.language-world.co.uk

Très bien 👏 🇫🇷

Your safety and wellbeing are our top priority. That's why the University campus will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday 27 January, due to the amber weather warning across Northern Ireland.

Where appropriate and possible, teaching will move online for our students and your School or Centre will be in touch to let you know about the arrangements in your area.

Where necessary, some staff will continue to work on campus to carry out crucial roles, delivering and supporting essential services.

Student support services will be available remotely and Queen's Accommodation will remain open as normal.

The McClay Library will close from 7.00am on Tuesday morning but aims to reopen at 9.00pm that evening.

See you back on campus soon!